Mine(II)
1248 Words
Chapter 2
Strange.
Alejandro frowned.
His mother would have greeted him at the door, especially since he had been absent for a month. Perhaps she would scold him too. Head of a dangerous and thriving empire, and he was still getting scolded.
The thought warmed his heart but also scared him.
That also meant everyone knew how much he cared for her… including his enemies and rivals.
She was one of his weaknesses.
The other had not been announced yet.
Might never be announced…
Might never be his…
“Aunt!!” Dominico called, and that reminded him of his mother's absence.
“She’s not in her room either,” Adrian called, walking toward them.
“Perhaps we should check all the rooms. She might be in the library or something, or maybe—”
Fiona’s chirpy voice interrupted Pablo, and the three strode to the main entrance.
There they found Fiona bent over, her face alight with laughter and a trace of tears at the corner of her left eye.
Looking at her new audience, she laughed harder, grabbing a wide-eyed Scarlet’s shoulder for support.
“Tía, ¿quién es esta hermosa doncella?”
(Aunt, who is this pretty damsel?)
Adrien was the first to speak, already walking toward the ladies with an extended hand toward Scarlet.
He ignored Fiona’s glare and, with practiced smoothness, grabbed Scarlet’s hand, bringing it to his lips, his eyes never leaving hers.
Suddenly her hand was snatched away and Fiona pulled her back a little.
“Take that filthy hand away from my baby, you swine,” Fiona lashed, and Adrien laughed, his dimples in full display.
“That’s harsh but… that’s you, Tía,” Adrien said, his eyes still set on Scarlet.
Scarlet stared at the beautiful men in front of her.
She remembered what Fiona had said.
“That brat of a son and his friends will be here soon. Including that swine.” Fiona had laughed, shaking her head.
Scarlet had frowned.
“Swine?” she had repeated just as they stepped back into the house.
No sooner had the word left her mouth than a young man with an average face but very handsome features appeared, and two others joined him. The two others were tall and even more handsome.
No…
They were beautiful.
But which one was the swine?
Fiona’s laughter was sudden, louder than before. Scarlet watched the woman bend over, holding her shoulder for support.
She looked at the woman she had missed so much—her second mother. She smiled.
Just when the laughter subsided, the person she had come for appeared. But he stopped behind his friends and watched her.
All Scarlet wanted to do was jump into his arms and ruffle that dark hair of his.
Since when did Alex keep long hair?
She wondered.
Then one of them approached.
It was the first guy.
She watched him take her hand and kiss her palm.
Before Fiona snatched it back and called him a SWINE!!!
No wonder Fiona had laughed when he showed up first as soon as she said swine.
Scarlet chuckled at her late but new realization.
She realized everyone was watching.
She turned to Alejandro, who still stood at a distance, barely moving.
“I know, I know it’s been so long and the visit is unexpected, but you shouldn’t still make me feel like a stranger, should you?” she lashed, placing her hands on her hips.
She heard the boys dramatically inhale.
Slowly, he moved.
When he got to her, he paused, as if he couldn’t believe she was really there.
Then he pulled her into a tight embrace.
Scarlet barely had time to gasp before his arms wrapped around her.
“I thought I would have to smack some sense into you if you had pretended to forget me for long,” Scarlet said against his chest.
“I can’t. You’re… Flame,” he said, burying his nose in her hair.
“You’re forgiven, even though you never contacted me first and you refused a video call. And look at you…”
She moved away, and he released her.
Slowly, her eyes traveled over him again and again.
Alejandro was a natural angel, but this man standing in front of her was… nothing like the boy she knew.
This man was taller, broader. His shoulders looked strong in the dark suit, his jawline sharper.
She let her eyes wander.
His hair was longer, and he had a tattoo on his neck.
How had she not noticed it at first?
It was a beautiful white cobra with blood red beady eyes.
It was a masterpiece, just like the sexy man standing in front of her.
My fantasy, she thought, blushing at her own thoughts.
Her eyes finally met his.
The same dark eyes she had known for years.
Now harder.
Sharper.
Deeper.
And watching her every move.
Scarlet tilted her head slightly, studying him like a mysterious specimen.
“Looks like someone didn’t just spend the last few years sitting around eating Fiona’s cooking,” she said.
Behind them, Pablo snorted.
“Glad you’re impressed. You look like a sexy doll too. I’m not surprised though. You were always a goddess,” Alex said, ignoring his friends.
Mine, he thought.
Behind them, Adrien groaned loudly.
“Are we invisible now?”
“You should introduce your girl to us, my love,” Nicolas called, receiving a death glare from Alex.
Fiona clicked her tongue.
“You must be hungry, mi niña. Make the introductions fast so my baby can rest up. And Scarlet! Dinner will be ready by six.”
Fiona smiled and started leaving.
She paused in front of Nico and smiled.
“Thank you for bringing him back. All of you,” she said.
With a final glare at Alex, she left.
Alejandro moved away from Scarlet and, with a sweep of his finger, said,
“Boys, meet Scarlet. Scarlet, meet my friends and business partners, Pablo, Nicolas, and… Adrien, the overly forward one.”
“Did you get engaged again without telling me?” Pablo said in his usual loud voice.
“Engaged again?” Scarlet repeated.
“Oh, he didn’t tell you? He only told me three days before the wedding. I had to rush to catch up,” Pablo said again, looking at Scarlet with a bright smile.
But she only turned to Alex.
He avoided her face.
“You traveled, dummy, and stop shouting. I think we need to leave,” Nicolas said, catching Alex’s eyes.
“Sure,” Adrien agreed.
They started toward the door, pulling Pablo to follow, but he halted in front of Scarlet.
“Nice to meet you, pretty. If you were not his woman, I might.. ”
“No! I mean… he’s my best friend. Like… childhood friends,” Scarlet corrected.
Slowly the young man bobbed his head, his smile still there.
“Good then,” he yelled.
“Perfect even. Then you won’t mind if I take her then, right Castillos?” Nico joined.
“Leave,” came Alejandro’s response.
The three laughed.
Their chatter and laughter lingered even as they left.
“I think I should… Aunt Fi and I already settled me in, so you won’t need to… I’ll leave now,” Scarlet stammered, swallowing down the big lump stuck in her throat.
He watched her leave.
Back stiff.
Head high.
Hands clenching and unclenching.
And he knew she was mad.
F*ck Pablo!!!
- Writer
